Upshaw, a forward for the Grand Rapids Drive, the Pistons' G League affiliate, died Monday after collapsing on the court with 40 seconds remaining in Saturday's game at the DeltaPlex Arena against Long Island. He was 26.

"A lot of people, even to me, have expressed sympathy, condolences, and certainly our thoughts go out to his family and we've tried to support his family and the players and coaches in Grand Rapids because it's been a traumatic situation for them also," Van Gundy said prior to the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Little Caesars Arena.

After Upshaw was tended to and taken by stretcher to the hospital, the teams finished the game and the Drive won to secure the franchise's first playoff berth.

The Drive, the second seed in the Eastern Conference, will play in the single-elimination opener at Raptor 905s in Mississauga, Ontario, on Wednesday (7:30 p.m.).

Pistons center Andre Drummond tweeted: "Lost a real one today, tragic loss of Zeke Upshaw, my thoughts and prayers are with all of Zeke's family and friends during this difficult time. Rest easy my guy."

Said Lakers coach Luke Walton: "I'd like to offer our organization's condolences to his family and his friends. I just kind of heard about it this morning, it was tragic for me. The close group that the NBA is, at 26 years old, is obviously very sad and unfortunate. Our love and prayers to them."

Lost a real one today , tragic loss of Zeke Upshaw , my thoughts and prayers are with all of Zeke's family and friends during this difficult time dd1/4 Rest easy my guy pic.twitter.com/x4yMZDbUDk